Gideon was in constant contact with the Lord except for the end of his career. Yet he did not understand the judgment of the Midianites that lead to the wavering of his confidence in the Lord. Jephthah was a gang leader, and his vow—though made to the Lord—shows a pagan element in its extravagance. Lastly, Samson was morally weak, self-oriented rather than God-oriented, and had a bad way with women.
1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.